Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the final report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen to the UN Security Council, published on 25 January 2021, what steps his Department is taking to scrutinise the (a) activity and (b) expert members of that panel.

The Panel of Experts on Yemen provides a vital role in monitoring the implementation of the sanctions regime and the conflict, including highlighting the destabilising role Iran is playing and their investigation into the Houthi attack on Aden Airport. The panel's most recent report made recommendations to improve the accountability and transparency of the Government of Yemen and Central Bank of Yemen. The UK is providing technical support and advice to both institutions to enact much needed reforms, and to this end we regularly engage with the Panel of Experts. We note the successful appointment by the UN Security Council of a new finance lead to the Panel of Experts, and the UK remains committed to supporting the valuable work of the Panel.